Page 35 of Riding the Curve

“I miss her too, Henny-Penny. Every day.” Her words brush against my cheek as she lets me cry until I can’t anymore.

“Mom,” I say, my nerves rising. “You’ve been silent for the past five minutes.”

She sets her tea down and smiles. The tightness in my shoulders releases.

After the tears stopped bleeding out of me, we were finally able to sit down and I spilled everything. I told her about the cabins on the Lane property, and was honest about Emerson’s state and how I might be able to help him with more than just getting the ranch ready for guests. Then she continued to pry even further. I couldn’t lie to her anymore. The story of why I really left New York came flowing out of me like word vomit.

She gathers my hands in hers, her thumbs rubbing soothing circles over the tops. “I’m proud of you.”

My eyes widen. “Why?”

“You are the bravest person I know. You chase vehemently after your dreams. Every time an obstacle crosses your path, you power straight through it. And after everything that you just told me, where others might crumble, you’ve found a way to let yourself rise again. I admire your strength, Hen, I always have.”

The muscles in my body tense as my mind plays catch up.

“Mom, I’m a failure. And this time, I’ve failed exquisitely. All my life, I’ve never been enough. No matter how hard I try, I feel like I’m blundering through my life.

“I struggled my way through school, having to study longer hours than most to still fail countless tests. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t graduate with honors like Ryleigh did. Even at community college, the only thing I was good at were my baking classes. Honestly, I was worried I might have been dropped from the program all together because of how much I was struggling with my other courses. If I wouldn’t have received that scholarship, who knows what would have happened. All those times you’ve said I’ve ‘risen’ again, have just been my attempts at desperately trying to cover up my mistakes, try to do something right for once. I’m a constant embarrassment to you all, and to myself. There is nothing brave about that at all.”

“Never once have I thought of you as a failure, sweetheart. Especially with what happened in New York. Can’t you see that was not your fault and that was entirely out of your control?”

I shake my head. “I-I should have been better. Never should have gotten myself into the situations with Sadie or Carson. Never should have stayed in it for so long. Maybe things at the restaurant would have been better if I would have just committed myself a little harder, you know?”

“Henley Rae Cole.” She squeezes my hands. “I am going to say this loud enough for you to hear through your clouded mind. We have never been embarrassed or disappointed in you. You’ve never failed. You will always be enough.”

My eyes burn, the well of tears already dried up from earlier.

“I’m not so sure, M-Mom.” My voice quivers, and she slides out of her chair and crouches beside me. Holding my face between her hands she presses a kiss to my forehead.

“I’ve always been sure. This is going to be good for you. I think it’s time to shake it up a little. Stop worrying about chasing perfection and start seeing the worth in everything that you do. Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you, too.”

A loud thud and a bang of the door against a wall crashes through our moment.

“The wild child has risen.” She laughs and the warmth of the sound makes me do the same.

Lyla comes bounding down the stairs and leaps into Mom’s arms. She swings her around, and Lyla squeals with glee.

“Go ahead and start packing and in a little while we can start with dinner.”

“Okay.” I stand and begin to make my way to the living room when my mother’s voice stops me.

“Oh, and don’t worry about your father.” She winks. “I know exactly how to wrangle Tripp Cole.”

With a giggle, I head into the living room to pack, feeling a lot lighter than I have in years.

CHAPTER 14

Henley

The sun’s rays spill through the small cracks between the curtains. The light falls directly onto my face, stirring me awake. Last night, Ryleigh told me to skip my morning chores and sleep in, so that’s exactly what I did.

Dinner had gone surprisingly well last night. Dad only got a little rowdy a few times, slightly outraged that I was leaving so soon after just arriving. Mom shot him one strong glare, and that was the last peep I heard out of him the rest of the night. I guess she wasn’t kidding about knowing how to wrangle him. Not even Ryleigh had an objection to me moving over to the Lane’s. He had shared that he’s worried about his best friend. Even agreed with Mom that it would be good for the both of us, leaving me slightly in shock.

A low chime vibrates the coffee table, and I roll over to grab my phone.

DONOTANSWER: Do you need help bringing over your suitcases?